AUSTIN, Texas — Hundreds of people with autism in Central Texas and their families had a one-stop-shop place to get resources and support over the weekend.
Autism Speaks held its first-ever Field Day for All at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday.
The event featured games, entertainment, food trucks and educational workshops.
The nonprofit also worked with local groups to raise money and bring in services for the autism community.
“It’s very special to me,” said Eileen Lamb, director of social media at Autism Speaks. “I love my work at Autism Speaks, and seeing everyone gathered here today, the sense of community, it’s special to my heart.”
Lamb is also the content creator behind the webpage and social media page, The Autism Café. She is on the spectrum and has two sons who are also autistic: 11-year-old Charlie, who is nonverbal, and 9-year-old Jude, who has Level 1 autism.
“It can be very lonely either to have a loved one on the spectrum because we don’t always have the resources available, the support we need,” said Lamb. “So, being at this event where you can get the right information for your personal situation in one place and to connect with people, it’s just so amazing. I wish we could do that more often because it brings a lot of vital resources to the community.”
Lamb said events like Field Day for All are critical because autistic people each need different resources and support.
“There is a quote from one of our board members,” said Lamb. “That is, ‘If you know one person with autism, you know one person with autism.’”
Anyone looking for resources or wishing to get involved with future events like Field Day For All can visit autismspeaks.org.